US Supreme Court temporarily permits White House ballroom construction

The US Supreme Court has temporarily permitted the Trump administration to resume construction on a $400 million ballroom at the White House complex.

In a brief administrative order issued by Chief Justice John Roberts, the high court paused a lower court ruling that had previously halted major portions of the development project. The temporary stay provides the justices with additional time to evaluate an emergency application submitted by the federal government.

The ongoing legal dispute originated from a lawsuit filed by a historic preservation organisation seeking to halt the build. The administration appealed to the Supreme Court to allow construction cranes and workers to proceed while legal challenges move through the court system.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Der Standard, Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF